|
By Jana
Ward
If you have been looking to buy a new
home, remodel your current one, or just plain need a contractor to
repair your winter-beaten roof, chances are you have met several
building industry professionals and have a collection of business
cards and price quotes to shuffle through. Some of these individuals
have initials such as GMB or CGR after their name,
like doctors have PhD and attorneys have Esq. or LLM. What do these
letters mean?
These initials help consumers identify
building professionals who have completed the requirements needed to
receive and maintain a professional designation awarded by the
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
 |
The Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) and
Certified Graduate Remodelor (CGR) designations are
earned by members of the industry concentrating on building
and remodeling, respectively.
|
|
A Graduate Master Builder (GMB) is an
advanced designation attained for example, after fulfilling
the requirements of a CGB or CGR.
|
|
The Certified Graduate Associate (CGA) is earned by individuals who are
Associate members, most often specialty contractors who
support the construction or remodeling process, such as
plumbing, electrical firms, as well as financial and
accounting service firms. |
Course requirements vary for each NAHB
designation, the minimum is six, six-hour courses to receive a
certificate. All certificates require one six-hour course per year
to maintain the designation. Building professionals learn the latest
in the industry in courses such as Building Codes and
Standards, Construction Contracts and Law, Customer
Service and Quality Construction. The courses
are offered around the country by NAHB’s education and training arm,
the Home Builders Institute, at local and state Home Builder
Associations as well as major industry expositions.
Those initials are an indication that
the individual has taken time to expand and enhance his/her
knowledge and professionalism in the building industry through
education. As a consumer, trying to decide on which builder,
contractor or remodelor to hire, knowing what they mean may go a
long way in choosing who ultimately gets the job.
To locate a licensed professional
contractor, call GSABA at 210-696-3800 for a free copy
of the Remodelors’ Council Directory and the brochure, “How to
Choose a
Remodeler.” |
